Why HMUR’s Soviet Retro-FPS Will Leave Your Heart Racing

Feel Your Heart Race in Mirnogorsk’s Ruins

On August 6, 2025, HMUR burst onto Steam as a public playtest, tossing retro-FPS fans into the decaying halls of Mirnogorsk—a Soviet research complex stuck in a dystopian ’90s. Armed with a standard-issue pistol and nothing but your instincts, you’ll attempt permadeath-style runs where one wrong move can erase hours of progress. Fluid, momentum-driven combat locked to a breakcore-infused soundtrack delivers a sustained adrenaline rush that rewards precision and punishes hesitation.

Quick Facts

• Title: HMUR (NO MERCY RETRO FPS – HMUR)
• Platforms: PC (Steam playtest live); Nintendo Switch (release window TBD)
• Genre: Single-player retro FPS with ruthless permadeath loops
• Setting: Alternate ’90s Soviet research hub in Mirnogorsk, Khakassia
• Status: Public playtest ongoing; final release date unconfirmed

Gameplay Mechanics: Speed, Precision, Survival

HMUR hones the essentials of classic ’90s shooters—bunny hops, strafing, rocket jumps—then supercharges them with modern refinements. Every weapon feels keyed to your momentum: controlled pistol bursts stretch your ammo, up-close shotgun blasts demand split-second timing, and experimental Soviet firearms hint at hidden upgrades. With no checkpoints or mid-run saves, each hallway becomes a high-stakes obstacle course where chaining kills and maintaining speed is the only way forward.

Veterans of speed-run leaderboards will immediately adapt to HMUR’s momentum-first design, weaving past traps and mutated horrors to keep their pace unbroken. Newcomers might stumble, but the steep curve fosters that irresistible “just one more attempt” drive. Nail a flawless run and you’ll feel like you’ve choreographed chaos itself.

Hard Bass Soundtrack and Immersive Atmosphere

In HMUR, the breakcore soundtrack isn’t just background—it’s a co-pilot in your escape attempt. Pulsing kick drums and frenetic synths react to your every shot, sprint, and narrow dodge. When alarms blare or turrets activate, the music warps and jumps, mirroring your adrenaline spike. Occasional Slavic folk samples and industrial noise loops add authentic ’90s Soviet flavor, grounding the frantic beats in a chilling, era-appropriate world.

This dynamic audio design ratchets up tension, making each corridor clear feel like a synchronized performance between your reflexes and the pounding bass.

Environmental Storytelling: Unraveling Mirnogorsk’s Secrets

HMUR skips lengthy cutscenes in favor of environmental clues scattered throughout its levels. Audio logs murmur about forbidden experiments, charred lab notes reference a catastrophic energy surge, and glitching terminals display distorted security feeds. Exploring hidden passages often reveals these fragments, encouraging multiple runs to piece together the facility’s dark history.

Level design acts as a silent narrator: flooded maintenance tunnels suggest a containment breach, while collapsed research wings bear scorch marks from failed experiments. Each new zone deepens the mystery, rewarding players who dare to stray off the beaten path.

Early Impressions and Community Response

Since launch, HMUR has drawn praise for its blistering pace and authentic Soviet sci-fi aesthetic—low-poly textures, CRT scanline filters, and grainy VHS overlays create a gritty, nostalgic vibe. Testers note that even during the most chaotic firefights, the build runs smoothly, though requests for HUD customization and weapon tuning have surfaced. Developers are actively soliciting feedback via Steam forums and social channels, promising to refine balance and squash bugs ahead of the full release.

That open dialogue has earned HMUR early goodwill, with fans eager to see how the final version evolves.

Who Should Steady Their Aim

If you thrive on speed-run leaderboards and live for the tension of one-life challenges, HMUR is your adrenaline-fueled playground. It demands patience, precise timing, and a willingness to learn from each brutal death. Those new to retro FPS may face a steep learning curve, but persevere and you’ll uncover a deeply rewarding, high-octane experience. Casual players seeking a leisurely stroll might want to buckle up first.

Final Thoughts and What’s Next

The Steam playtest of HMUR offers a tantalizing glimpse into what could become the next must-play indie retro-FPS. With its atmospheric Soviet sci-fi setting, relentless breakcore soundtrack, and unforgiving permadeath runs, it stands out in a crowded genre. Dive in now to help shape the final build, and keep an eye on official channels for Nintendo Switch updates and the announcement of a full release date—Mirnogorsk’s secrets aren’t going to uncover themselves.